Nissan Versa

It just makes sense.

As one with a keen ability to grasp the obvious, it's not lost on me as to why Nissan has named its new compact entry-level hatchback the Versa. That's Versa, as in versatile. Get it? Of course you do. But do us a favor — don't give Nissan credit (or the Honda Fit, for that matter) for inventing the handy compact 5-door hatch.

In recent years, cars such as the Suzuki Aerio, Mazda3 and others have delighted their owners with a satisfying mix of people-hauling practicality and fuel economy.

So, welcome to the party, Nissan; let's see what the Versa brings.

Our quick answer? Great packaging. This front-driver — built on Nissan's B-platform at the company's plant in Aguascaliente, Mexico — is incredibly roomy. So spacious, in fact, that a person 6 ft. 2 in. tall can fit comfortably in back...behind a driver of the same height with head room to spare. That's an extraordinary accomplishment for a car that's 8 in. shorter than a Sentra. Although compact, this Nissan is roughly a foot longer than the Honda Fit, with practicality further enhanced by folding rear seats and a large cargo area beneath the solenoid-released rear hatch.

Although the Versa is shorter than a Sentra, its wheelbase is 2.6 in. longer. This, together with the high roof, helps make the car so accommodating, and it's all wrapped in a decidedly French-influenced body that reminds us of the European-market Megane from Nissan's corporate parent Renault.

Designed as an affordable entry-level car starting at $12,000, the Versa shares its proven unit-body chassis with the European-market Nissan Micra and Renault Clio. Struts are on duty up front, and a twist beam axle — that allows for a deep cargo area — holds up the rear, where drum brakes are employed.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

The engine is the new MR18 1.8-liter inline-4, a smooth aluminum-block 16-valve powerplant with a pair of chain-driven overhead camshafts. This engine gets the job done reasonably well, with just enough pep to be fun. More significant, compared with the 1.5-liter engines in the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris, it feels much stronger, pumping out 122 bhp at 5200 rpm and 127 lb.-ft. of torque at 4800 rpm.

That power reaches the front wheels via a choice of three gearboxes: a 6-speed manual, a 4-speed automatic or a silky CVT that gives the Versa excellent EPA fuel economy of 30 mpg city, 36 highway. While we typically prefer manuals, the pre-production Versa we sampled tended to hold its rpm between shifts, making it difficult to drive the car smoothly. A fix is planned for production, promises Nissan.

On the road, the Versa goes about its duties in a quiet fashion, its long wheelbase contributing to a remarkably good ride that's well-damped, not floaty. Anti-roll bars are employed front and rear, and the standard tire size is P185/65HR-15. Outward vision is excellent, and the overall quality of materials is high for a car in this category. The instrument panel is plain compared to the Honda Fit's, but the plastics are of a high quality and the controls on the center stack — which include a handy connection for an iPod in the SL model we drove — are mounted high for easy access. To accommodate drivers of varying sizes, the Versa's steering wheel tilts (but does not telescope), and the front seats — with integrated side airbags — are adjustable for height. Moreover, they're covered in a durable, grippy fabric.

The 5-door hatchback Versa is already on sale, with prices ranging from $12,000 to a fully loaded $17,000 car equipped with items such as alloy wheels, roof-mounted side-impact curtain airbags, satellite radio, Bluetooth, an Intelligent Key and a Rockford Fosgate-powered subwoofer. The plain-looking Versa sedan arrives in October, priced similarly.

In this era of increasingly expensive gasoline, a practical, fuel-efficient car such as the Nissan Versa — which feels much larger inside than it looks on the outside — makes more sense every day. No need to explain that twice to me...

A Part of Hearst Digital Media
Road & Track participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.